Free agency is in full swing, and one team that's surprised me with their competence is the Los Angeles Clippers. Until they lose DeAndre Jordan, I'll give this team a vote of confidence. A team that is instilling confidence in no one is the Lakers. I see an odd perception of two former Finals MVPs. Paul Pierce is an old, but still productive player that the Clippers signed for a reasonable deal. Kobe is the highest paid player in the NBA and has barely seen the court the past two seasons, and has forgotten how to shoot. And yet, I see Kobe's name listed in the possible "turnaround" rosters for the Lakers -- or rather, I did before free agents started shunning Los Angeles. I see Doc Rivers getting criticized for signing Paul Pierce. It doesn't make sense! Here's a brief rundown of both players last season.
Kobe Bryant vs. Paul Pierce 2014-2015 Season
Kobe Bryant vs. Paul Pierce Career Numbers
Non-Shooting Stats
| Paul Pierce | Kobe Bryant | Average GF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | SF (3.0) | GF (2.0) | GF (2.5) |
| Minutes | 1914.0 | 1207.0 | |
| Defensive rebounds | 6.2 | 6.9 | 5.3 |
| Offensive rebounds | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.5 |
| Assists | 3.6 | 7.8 | 3.6 |
| Turnovers | 2.3 | 5.1 | 2.5 |
| Blocks | .6 | .3 | .4 |
| Steals | 1.2 | 1.9 | 1.7 |
| Fouls | 4.0 | 2.6 | 3.7 |
When it comes to non-shooting stats, both Pierce and Kobe do have some positives. Both rebound well, both have better assist/turnover ratios than average. On Defense, Paul Pierce is a better shot blocker, and Kobe is better at stealing. Now, calling this a tie would be okay. Of course, Kobe and Pierce are paid a bit differently, which we'll get to in a second. But regardless, both of these players have all around skills that can help their teams win. So what's the difference maker?
Shooting Stats
| Paul Pierce | Kobe Bryant | Average GF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | SF (3.0) | GF (2.0) | GF (2.5) |
| Two point percentage | 49.6% | 40.1% | 46.3% |
| Three point fg percentage | 38.9% | 29.3% | 34.0% |
| Free throw percentage | 78.1% | 81.3% | 75.7% |
| Effective field goal percentage | 53.7% | 41.1% | 47.9% |
| True shooting | 58.0% | 47.7% | 51.9% |
| Field goal Attempts | 16.5 | 28.4 | 16.1 |
| Three-point Attempts | 7.6 | 7.3 | 5.6 |
| Free throw attempts | 5.3 | 9.6 | 4.1 |
The difference last season is simple. Paul Pierce was great as a scorer. He had versatility, shooting well from both two and three. He made it to the line a good amount and converted. Kobe killed his team in regards to shooting. He almost made Allen Iverson look like an efficient shooter. Both Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant have been good scorers most of their career (Pierce being the better one, of course) That said, Kobe has always had an issue with forcing his shot. As he's aged, his shot has gotten worse. Kobe's response has been to force it more, with not-so-good results. Pierce though, doesn't need to force his shot. He just takes close to an average amount at an incredible clip. And that brings me to my final point.
Off the Court Stuff
The most significant difference between Kobe and Paul Pierce is their salary and place in the franchise. At $3.3 million a season over three years, Pierce is making as much as a mid lottery pick. And, it seems obvious at this point that Pierce doesn't need to be the center of attention on his team. He was willing to share the spotlight with Garnett and Allen in Boston. The Wizards were clearly John Wall's team. Compare that with Kobe, who told Dwight he could have the Lakers when he (Kobe) was done with them. This offseason LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol said they don't want to play with the Lakers. Shocker!
Now, both Paul Pierce and Kobe are quite old at this point. Pierce has yet to drop below average in his performance, but the clock is ticking. That said, he's a cheap investment. Kobe's quality of play has already dropped dramatically. He's had major injuries two seasons in a row now. It seems far less likely to assume he'll come back productive this season.
In short, Paul Pierce looks like a smart gamble out of Doc Rivers. He'll provide the Clippers with more efficient shooting, and still be a decent all around player. He doesn't need to be a starter, and should hopefully be able to contribute off the bench. Kobe still has the worst contract in the NBA, still has an ego that can no longer be matched by his talent, and is years removed from being a productive NBA player. Have to give this one to the Clippers.